Bailey and Katy came to us as rescues. We lost Bailey in June of 2016. We were blessed to have Annie join us in August of 2016. They have brought great love and joy to our immediate family and to extended family and friends. This blog will share their stories and issues related to Shelties. Some told from their perspective and others told from those that share this journey with them.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Mom was angry this morning. She was on one of her message boards and again saw someone trying to start dog fear by posting a link to a few stories about children killed by dogs. One story was questionable at best because it seems more likely a case of child abuse/neglect than a dog killing. The other was more typical of what one reads about in these cases, poor parenting. In this case, a child visiting a relative’s home attacked by a family pet.

Ironically, the vast majority of posters admit they fear or do not like dogs, but feel they are experts in knowing that dogs are not safe around young children. Well if you are afraid of dogs, it is best not to bring your children around them. Your fear and dislike of them is not likely to make the experience a successful one. However, creating the hysteria that NO family should ever have a dog in the house that has a baby or a toddler only increases the potential for homeless dogs as parents are manipulated into fearing that the family dog will kill the child.

Frankly, I was amazed at how many people bought into the scenario. As a dog owner, I am always careful when children come into my home. I have learned not to expect parents to be responsible for their children. I must always be responsible for my dogs and supervise any and all interactions. While I have never had an issue, it does not mean there is not potential for one. Children and dogs are unpredictable and when you do not know how they will react to each other, it is important to supervise.

I respect parents who do not feel they have the time, resources, or patience to handle both pets and young children. However, the current hysteria and hostility seems ridiculous. As with all things, responsibility and supervision are at the bottom of so many of these dog and children issues. Instead of focusing on the lack of those skills, people have chosen to scapegoat the dogs.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

It has been an unusually warm spring. If you remember last year, we had an April Fool's storm that left us with a late start to spring. This year it feels like we have moved right into summer.

The birds have moved into their summer condos in our tree house. We heard them outside the windows this morning as they were waking at 4:00 AM. We like listening to the birds and we have peaceful relationships with them. In fact they appreciate we keep the squirrels away from their nests in our tree house.

Friday, April 13, 2012

It's a birthday weekend for Dad. We decided he needs more fresh air so we are taking him on a nice walk for his birthday. After all chasing squirrels does not an income make. We give from the heart. We are inspecting Dad's gift bag to make sure everything is in order.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Along with the bones we found in the Easter Eggs, the Easter Bunny brought us some new toys. The bunny frogs were cute, but the duck and the bunny have this amazing paper crinkling sound. We love attacking paper and Mom told the Easter Bunny this might distract us from real paper. She has discovered one problem. The sounds we make playing with these sound just like the sounds we make when we are getting into trouble with the real stuff. Bailey liked pulling the duck from the egg, until he realized he could not get the duck back inside its home. It does not seem to bother Katy, but while Bailey likes getting the toys out of puzzles, he gets upset when they do not go back where they belong on their own and he cannot manipulate them back in with paw and mouth. Mom came to his rescue, placing the duck back into his egg pouch.

As with all our holiday toys, these will head to the attic when the decorations go away, so Mom will not be dealing with the paper issue for long.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Mom and Dad said the Easter Bunny hid 30 eggs in our yard and all the pink ones had dog bones. There were four pink ones. We were really too excited to help much as there was a Easter Egg hunt on the other side of our fence, too. It was very exciting.

Mama said the Easter Bunny did not leave us more eggs because we do not like to save our treats for later. Once we found them, we would expect to eat them.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Mom stopped having the Easter Bunny hide plastic eggs last year. Our Easter guests still get baskets. However, she thought after observing a lack of interest in the hunt the previous year, the tradition of the hunt had been outgrown and she was not complaining too much. She had fun having Katy and I find our plush eggs and toss them.

Last night she got a call requesting that the Easter Egg hunt be put back on the day's agenda. She had to head to the attic and dig out the plastic eggs. You see when you have Sheltie's in the house arrangements have to be made for the Easter Bunny's safety when he visits. Mom sets out the eggs in advance so we know he is coming and we do not attempt to remove him from the house/yard. After all the Easter bunny leaves us a basket too and the last thing we want is an angry bunny who fails to leave us anything.